Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.

Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Washington

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 10/31/2016)

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Prerequisite Coursework in Washington

Washington requires that certified teachers have, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree. Although some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas, Washington does not list specific course or credit hour requirements. However, every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information.

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Washington Teacher Certification Programs

In the State of Washington, prospective teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, or they must complete a state-approved alternative certification program. A list of state-approve teacher preparation programs can be found on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.

Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of courses on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), research, design, and implementation of learning experiences in their field of study, along with hands-on fieldwork. The fieldwork component can include observations, student teaching, and an internship.

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Required Tests for Washington

To become a certified teacher in Washington, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction. Learn more about Washington’s exam requirement on Washington State’s Professional Educator Standards Board page. The Basic Skills Test can be fulfilled with the

Initial Teaching Certifications

New teachers in Washington State start out with a Residency Certificate and move to a Professional Certificate by completing a Professional Certification Program at a Washington college or university and submitting a ProTeach Portfolio of professional development activities. In order to earn your Washington state teaching credential, you must complete required coursework, fieldwork and standardized testing requirements. If you already have a teaching credential from another state, you may qualify for interstate credential reciprocity. Visit the State of Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website for more on earning your Washington teaching credential.

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

Alternative Certification in Washington

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities who do not have a Bachelor’s in education and who have not yet received a teaching certificate can still obtain an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Washington State offers four alternative certification routes, two of which are for people already employed as paraprofessionals in the school system.

Visit Washington State’s Professional Educator Standards Board to learn moreabout these options and which one might be the best fit for you. Washington also participates in the Troops to Teachers program. There are also a number of different Limited Certificates that a school district may be able to request if they need you to teach in shortage areas or areas where you have expertise.

Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Washington

Washington will accept some teaching credentials from other states if the accrediting program meets or exceeds Washington’s requirements. Washington’s rules allow it to recognize any state-approved educator preparation program and degree from an accredited institution to meet basic requirements. Contact the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to inquire about your specific situation.

Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Washington

Washington Teaching Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington teachers earn on the average earn $60,702. This is above the national average, making teaching in Washington particularly rewarding. Salaries and benefits for Washington teaching jobs hinge both on experience and on qualifications.

Washington Teacher Benefits and Retirement

Retirement benefits for education jobs in Washington are handled by the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). TRS provides benefits for teachers depending on when they established membership. There are three different plans, one for employees who were TRS members before October 1, 1977, and two for employees who became members after this date.

The WashingtonTRS website includes a series of helpful resources, including a benefits calculator, important forms, and additional information. Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Washington Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education, Washington has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

Career Advancement

Professional Development for Washington Teachers

The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction provides a number of professional development opportunities, as do universities and other organizations around the state. Teachers must complete a ProTeach Portfolio of professional development activities to advance to theProfessional Certificate.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Washington

Teachers with a Master of Education will enjoy a higher salary in a state which is already above the national average in terms of teaching salaries. According to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website, teachers starting out with a Master’s degree in 2014 can expect to earn over $6,500 more than those starting out with a Bachelor’s degree, and a similar differential applies to teachers with some years of experience.

Explore Featured Program Options in Education

The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.

The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.

Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.